Pastor's Blog

Facebook and Time Travel

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 07:26:37 CDT

For weeks my little brother has asked me to open a facebook account. He said it was amazing and that I would believe the people I'd see. I honestly thought he was crazy but I opened one and found encouragement and tons of memories. Guys who stood in my wedding, girls who gave me mixed tapes and even one guy who is now obsessed with the tv show Smallville.

If you have a time management issue... stay away from Facebook, but if not you should go for it.

PowerPlant Cincinnati

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:48:17 CDT

Be in prayer over the next 10 days. I have the honor of bringing about 200 people to Cincinnati and connecting them with 10 new churches. I am praying that these students and adults will bear the light of Jesus into communities, coffee shops, public parks and living rooms. Also, that these churches will seize the moment and utilize these volunteers to reach out to people that they can then disciple.

For the glory of our God.

So Odd

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:15:54 CDT

Today I was driving through Kentucky with the family when we saw the strangest thing. First, let me say I've always wanted a motorcycle and so many people were out on their today, I saw some really cool bikes. Somewhere in KY, where I'm assuming helmets are optional, I saw a guy in his thirties running about 70 mph down I-75 without a helmet. Now, it's his life and his decision , but what was strange is that while he wasn't worried about protecting his head, he had ear plugs in to protect his hearing. If you hit the concrete at 70+ with your head... you will no longer need your ears.

River Wonderings

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:28:21 CDT

Capture the River

This river before me

Moves carefree and flows with unbridled force

If I were to place myself in opposition to it

I would be thrown down stream like so many before me

And yet with every thing in me I desire to try.

It is perpetual and unaware of me

No one has ever slowed it. It marches on while I drag my hand through the water

Hoping to relish its push against my hand and realizing that it is slipping through my fingers.

Don't think there haven't been times when all I wanted was for the river's pace to quicken.

I've spent most of my life paddling with the current, wanting to glide ahead

But now I find myself on the bank wondering where the water ends and loving the view from here.

Somewhere along the way the current strengthened and I became scared of where the river was flowing. I can find no way back up stream or any way to capture this river.

So it will pass. And I will stand here mourning as it rushes away.

Or I will plunge in.

Let it sweep me away and allow myself to capture it in an altogether new way. To find some way to release myself to this free flowing river and ride it with bliss while taking in the moments.

I will only come this way once and at rivers end I want to know with wrinkled toes that I valued every instant I could and was captured by the river.

“Bye, Bye, Mrs. Chair Model.”

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 21:46:10 CDT

Dwight Schrute is the funniest character on tv.

Ruthie Belle

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:09:50 CDT

While I'm logged in thought I post a picture of the new Culver...

So Blessed...

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:03:56 CDT

This mornig I spent 15 minutes hanging out with my family. Rachel was reading a book to the kids, Obi was throwing a golfball up in the air and I was watching Adison hold and kiss Ruthie while she slept. I am so full. I want to savor evey moment and enjoy raising these kids with this woman. Thanks for starting today with dad.

Throwing Clay

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:00:48 CDT

A few nights ago I spent a couple hours at the college watching Jordan Davison throwing clay. There’s no way I could sit there and not think of God as the potter. The clay was so malleable that every pressure of his hand could be seen on the clay. The slightest manipulation altered the shape, thickness, balance and final architecture. Driving home I couldn’t help but worship God. Over the years He has been a patience potter. I see His hands shaping me through good and difficult times and I recognize the pressure He has applied. He’s used people, jerks and joys, to mold me and remove unwanted clay. As I take shape I must thank my God.

You hold me as this world spins and You are creating me. Spirit, keep me malleable and ready for the shaping hand. Tune my ears to Your still voice and I will stand firm in the fires, strengthened by the fires. In wonder…

Redeeming Narb

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:00:11 CDT

Years ago I meet Narb and his family. They are great people and Narb was full of boy and wild as a buck. I always loved his spirit and his confidence. Narb had always been in church and had a lot of the right answers, but a few weeks ago Narb met Jesus. Several of the people of Pillar poured into this young guy and his parents led him well. This Sunday Narb will be baptized in the wild western state of Colorado and his sister will be heading out for her first mission trip to Mexico. It seems God is blessing our friends. We miss you four. Jenna and Brandon, I am proud of you guys.

Boxes, boxes, boxes

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:40:46 CST

Seinfeld did this monologue about when your moving your life becomes all about boxes. While that’s true he didn’t talk about after you’ve moved and you house is full of boxes. It is driving me crazy. I don’t actually know if all this junk will fit in the new house… we will see.

I wonder if people would buy boxes on ebay?

We sold our house...

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:39:49 CST

This past Friday Rachel and I signed the paperwork and sold our house. We lived at 415 Park Ave for five years and that place is packed with memories. The last day of the move I stole a moment to sit and remember. I am flooded with images of my family as it has grown. I remember Rachel dancing with the kids in the kitchen, Adison climbing every tree/door frame/wall, the sound of Obi waking up and running across the hard wood floor to our room as we laughed at the fact that it was 6 am. God blessed us with that drafty old house and made it a home.

We have prayed for so long that the house would sell. Altogether it was on the market for 18 long months. Thanks for praying with us. As much as we loved living on Park Ave, the house was a tremendous financial burden. Being rid of that burden feels incredible. Pillar is packed with great friends that help us prep this house to sell and we thank you all for your help.

Authentic Faith

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 14:15:55 CDT

It occurs almost every time I speak to someone about Pillar. The first question that comes is... (say it with me) "How many people are coming." Now I know that a good portion of people ask that question because that's what they think they should ask, but I think it reveals a thought about churches. Do people equate the size of the church with the blessing of God, the evidence of that church's impact, the talent of the pastor, the importance of the ministry or the value of the church's mission? I've been told by a pastor friend that small churches are that way because the pastors are lazy and poor leaders. That if they really cared about the church they'd grow it. Then I met Wild Bill. Wild Bill is a police Chaplain in Ashville, NC and has been in the ministry for over 50 years. I met him for dinner in Greenville, SC and as we talked he explained to me that most of the churches he pastored were small churches full of mountian people. He feels like God used him for years to impact his culture and lead people closer to Jesus. Would we call him a failure? Would you be willing to diminish his role in the kingdom because he has never had a paper published or a 1000s of eyes on him during a sermon? I am praying daily that as Pillar grows it will grow in an organic relational way... What do you think that will look like?

Rich Man

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 14:11:35 CDT

I honestly believe that I am living a blessed life. God as given me a wife that walks these intense paths of faith with me and loves the ride... even though it's hard sometimes. She has the best heart I know and she gave it to me. On top of that God trusted these two incredible kids to us that remind me daily how quickly time goes by.

My son stands there with no trace of baby left in him. Funny and loud, fast and reckless, messy and well, messy. And my little girl, oh the heart of a father, she is beautiful. She fusses with her hair but always wears it down. She changes clothes 15 times a day and last night I actually saw the beginning of her "walk." Smart and crazy, lovely and fun, and well, messy.

Their mother, my favorite human on earth, loves those kids with every breath she has. She cuddles and reads and cleans and doctors and makes up stories and cooks and bakes and drives and plays and gets up 5 times a night and teaches and cares and listens and blows my mind. I married the love of my life and God exploded that love into a family... which is what I've wanted all of my life. Thank you Rachel.